Jerusalem Court Orders Historic Print Workshop to Restore Original Roof
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered the historic Print Workshop to restore its iconic 19th-century truncated roof by May 2027 and pay 145,000 shekels in usage fees following an unauthorized structural alteration dispute.
The historic Print Workshop building in downtown Jerusalem will have its original roof restored by May 2027 following a ruling by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. The ruling resolves a legal dispute concerning architectural alterations to the landmark structure.
The building, located at the corner of HaNevi'im and Shivtei Israel streets, dates back approximately 170 years and is classified under strict preservation orders. It is one of the earliest structures in the HaNevi'im street area, with its lower section dating to before 1876 in Ottoman architectural style. During the late 19th century, a second floor was added, topped by a distinctive truncated tiled roof featuring a flat central terrace.
Ownership of the property is divided between two parties. The plaintiff, Megurei HaNevi'im, acquired a 999-year leasehold in 2021 for one million dollars, which includes rights to the courtyard and all building roofs, including the disputed roof. The defendant is the Jerusalem Print Workshop, a non-profit public benefit organization supported by the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Municipality, which operates an art workshop and gallery on the premises.
In 2013, the Print Workshop sought to install an external elevator for accessibility and submitted a building permit application. Photographic evidence attached to the application revealed that the original truncated roof had already been altered and raised to accommodate elevator access to the attic. Subsequent unauthorized structural modifications were carried out in 2017.
In 2023, the development company filed a lawsuit demanding the restoration of the original symmetrical truncated roof and alleging unauthorized construction. The Print Workshop initially denied making alterations, later claiming the work complied with permits and arguing that the plaintiff acquired rights only after construction was completed.
Judge Moriah Hertzel ruled that the Print Workshop dismantled the tiled roof without the owner's consent, utilized unauthorized building rights, and raised the roof structure with metal sheeting in violation of permit terms. The court ordered the defendant to dismantle the modified roof and restore it to its late 19th-century appearance by May 2027. Additionally, the court ordered the defendant to pay 145,000 shekels in retroactive usage fees, alongside a monthly fee of 2,500 shekels until the original roof restoration is completed.
